Posts
Heel Pain?
11 years ago
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Custom Orthotics
Custom Orthotics should last years depending, of course, on how often they are used and activity level. The top covers ( especially soft cushion materials) and posts ( additions to the bottom of the orthotics) may need to be replaced sooner however, depending again on your activity level. Repairs and recovering of orthotics are not covered by insurance. to help the longevity of your Orthotics - remove them nightly from your shoes to increase air circulation around the orthotic. You may also wear your orthotics in different shoes as long as there is enough depth to accommodate the insert.
Remember, your feet are the foundation for your entire body. They do a tremendous amount of work each day. Even the slightest misalignment of the bones and muscles can cause a lot of discomfort. Consistently wearing your prescription orthotics can be the best investment you can make to your overall well-being. Period orthotic checks are essential to ensure that this investment is still working properly and supporting your body in the correct manner.
Remember, your feet are the foundation for your entire body. They do a tremendous amount of work each day. Even the slightest misalignment of the bones and muscles can cause a lot of discomfort. Consistently wearing your prescription orthotics can be the best investment you can make to your overall well-being. Period orthotic checks are essential to ensure that this investment is still working properly and supporting your body in the correct manner.
Custom Orthotics
Custom -made heel supports are know as orthotic devices and are worn under your heel and the arch of your foot. these devices are molded to be anatomically matched to your heel and they do more than just provide support. Orthotics are designed to realign your feet and heels to a neutral or natural position to alleviate pain in your feet, legs, and back, as well as to restore balance, improve sports performance, and relieve foot fatigue.
Research shows that the majority of heel problems can be directly connected to skeletal imbalance. More and more people tend to have some amount of either hyperpronation (flat feet) or Hypersupination (high arches). The presence of theses conditions can cause the heel to be unstable during normal everyday activity. This constant stress on the heel can lead to pain in the feet, ankles, legs, knees, hips, and back.
Orthotics can improve function in the heel by compensating for existing imbalances and in most cases can relieve or prevent the associated pains.
How do you know if the use of orthotics is right for your? If you have an obvious imbalance that causes such symptoms as flat feet or high arches, or if you have external misalignment's such as "knock knees", "bow knees", in-toeing, or out-toeing you are probably a good candidate for orthotics. If you participate in an activity that places stress on your feet or if your work requires you to be on your feet for extended periods of time orthotics could be beneficial. The use of orthotics is just one of the conservative foot treatments used in our offices. They can be used to treat foot, heel, and arch pain and to prevent sports injuries or improve sports function. Orthotics can be used to treat children as well as adults. The best way to find out if orthotics can help you is to make an appointment with us for an exam.
Research shows that the majority of heel problems can be directly connected to skeletal imbalance. More and more people tend to have some amount of either hyperpronation (flat feet) or Hypersupination (high arches). The presence of theses conditions can cause the heel to be unstable during normal everyday activity. This constant stress on the heel can lead to pain in the feet, ankles, legs, knees, hips, and back.
Orthotics can improve function in the heel by compensating for existing imbalances and in most cases can relieve or prevent the associated pains.
How do you know if the use of orthotics is right for your? If you have an obvious imbalance that causes such symptoms as flat feet or high arches, or if you have external misalignment's such as "knock knees", "bow knees", in-toeing, or out-toeing you are probably a good candidate for orthotics. If you participate in an activity that places stress on your feet or if your work requires you to be on your feet for extended periods of time orthotics could be beneficial. The use of orthotics is just one of the conservative foot treatments used in our offices. They can be used to treat foot, heel, and arch pain and to prevent sports injuries or improve sports function. Orthotics can be used to treat children as well as adults. The best way to find out if orthotics can help you is to make an appointment with us for an exam.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Cautions on Retail Orthotics
Over-the-counter orthotics and other insoles have come a long way. These items can do a great deal to help reduce pain and control foot mechanics, especially misaligned foot mechanics. Nut there are some concerns to keep in mind any time you are buying an over-the-counter orthotic.
1. Retail orthotics do not come with a diagnosis from a medical professional. Sometimes orthotics are recommended by an orthotic sales-person or are suggested based on a pressure image of your foot. The problem is that a sales-person is just that. They want you to purchase their product, but do not have the medical training necessary to actually diagnose a problem with your feet. This means that orthotics may not be right for you, or that retail orthotics cannot solve your problem as they are not customized to your feet. You should see a podiatrist if you think you need orthotics. Not only can your doctor diagnose your foot problem, they can recommend over-the-counter orthotics brands which they trust and that can provide you with the greatest relief from your foot ailments. They also can recommend a custom-molded orthotics which will offer the greatest relief and support for your foot mechanics. Also bear in mind that a scan of your feet only shows where you put the most pressure, either when standing or walking. It does not show if there is a misalignment or other foot ailment which is causing you to bear this weight in a different area of your foot than normal.
2. Some retail orthotics make such an effort to add additional support to the arch that they can cause more pressure on other areas of the foot, especially the big toe joints. Over time this pressure can lead to changes in the foot or arthritis. The orthotics can also cause you extra pain by forcing your arch higher than is normal or comfortable.
3. A retail orthotic can sometimes increase arch support without controlling the mechanics of the whole foot. This may mean that you are not getting relief from another problem which you have, and this problem could continue even with the orthotic in place.
4. Buying a retail orthotic can over-correct or under-correct your problem. Perhaps you do have problem which requires orthotics. Sometimes when an orthotic isn't customized to your foot it can over-correct or under-correct your problem, perhaps stretching your arch either too high or not high enough. Your condition may not be severe enough to warrant the use of an orthotic. Be careful not to buy an orthotic device which you do not need.
Bear these things in mind when you are considering purchasing over-the-counter orthotics. These orthotics do offer an inexpensive solution to some foot problems, but they should be recommended for use by your podiatrist. A sales-person in a store is not likely to have your footcare needs as their primary goal, and often lack to expertise to advise you on your footcare. You need to see a podiatrist who is primarily concerned with your healthcare and has the knowledge and experience to diagnose a problem. You should allow your podiatrist to recommend retail orthotics to you.
1. Retail orthotics do not come with a diagnosis from a medical professional. Sometimes orthotics are recommended by an orthotic sales-person or are suggested based on a pressure image of your foot. The problem is that a sales-person is just that. They want you to purchase their product, but do not have the medical training necessary to actually diagnose a problem with your feet. This means that orthotics may not be right for you, or that retail orthotics cannot solve your problem as they are not customized to your feet. You should see a podiatrist if you think you need orthotics. Not only can your doctor diagnose your foot problem, they can recommend over-the-counter orthotics brands which they trust and that can provide you with the greatest relief from your foot ailments. They also can recommend a custom-molded orthotics which will offer the greatest relief and support for your foot mechanics. Also bear in mind that a scan of your feet only shows where you put the most pressure, either when standing or walking. It does not show if there is a misalignment or other foot ailment which is causing you to bear this weight in a different area of your foot than normal.
2. Some retail orthotics make such an effort to add additional support to the arch that they can cause more pressure on other areas of the foot, especially the big toe joints. Over time this pressure can lead to changes in the foot or arthritis. The orthotics can also cause you extra pain by forcing your arch higher than is normal or comfortable.
3. A retail orthotic can sometimes increase arch support without controlling the mechanics of the whole foot. This may mean that you are not getting relief from another problem which you have, and this problem could continue even with the orthotic in place.
4. Buying a retail orthotic can over-correct or under-correct your problem. Perhaps you do have problem which requires orthotics. Sometimes when an orthotic isn't customized to your foot it can over-correct or under-correct your problem, perhaps stretching your arch either too high or not high enough. Your condition may not be severe enough to warrant the use of an orthotic. Be careful not to buy an orthotic device which you do not need.
Bear these things in mind when you are considering purchasing over-the-counter orthotics. These orthotics do offer an inexpensive solution to some foot problems, but they should be recommended for use by your podiatrist. A sales-person in a store is not likely to have your footcare needs as their primary goal, and often lack to expertise to advise you on your footcare. You need to see a podiatrist who is primarily concerned with your healthcare and has the knowledge and experience to diagnose a problem. You should allow your podiatrist to recommend retail orthotics to you.
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